EP0574501B1 - Crotch overlocking and seaming apparatus - Google Patents

Crotch overlocking and seaming apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0574501B1
EP0574501B1 EP92907348A EP92907348A EP0574501B1 EP 0574501 B1 EP0574501 B1 EP 0574501B1 EP 92907348 A EP92907348 A EP 92907348A EP 92907348 A EP92907348 A EP 92907348A EP 0574501 B1 EP0574501 B1 EP 0574501B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blank
blanks
arm
sewing
gripping
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92907348A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0574501A1 (en
EP0574501A4 (ja
Inventor
Craig Trigg
Ronald Anderson
Heinz Westermeir
Rob Blake
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dunlop Olympic Ltd
Original Assignee
Pacific Dunlop Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pacific Dunlop Ltd filed Critical Pacific Dunlop Ltd
Publication of EP0574501A1 publication Critical patent/EP0574501A1/en
Publication of EP0574501A4 publication Critical patent/EP0574501A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0574501B1 publication Critical patent/EP0574501B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05B—SEWING
    • D05B33/00—Devices incorporated in sewing machines for supplying or removing the work

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the manufacture of underwear from blanks made of limp fabric. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for seaming and overlocking (hereinafter referred to as "sewing") the crotch portions of two blanks of limp fabric.
  • US Patent No 3,099,970 describes an apparatus for seaming garments, or more particularly, sewing on top of each other two pieces of fabric, one of which is larger than the other, in a fully automatic manner without the attention of an operator.
  • the apparatus comprises two transfer arm assemblies each having four associated pick-up units mounted thereon which engage the corners of the two pieces of fabric to be sewn together with pressure adhesive tape.
  • Two movable sewing heads are also provided which pass over a clamping means to sew the fabrics together.
  • a complicated alignment means ensures that the fabrics are placed and held together in correct alignment prior to being sewn together.
  • the above operation was performed manually by an operator who simultaneously picked up a blank from each of two stacks of blanks located on each side of the operator, overlapped the blanks ensuring that each side of the blank faces the right way (the fabric having an "outer” face and an “inner” face with respect to the garment to be produced), fed the overlapping blanks to the sewing machine which sews the crotch portion of the garment, and the finished garment is then collected and reassembled for a further operation on the garment.
  • Each stack of blanks is obtained by cutting a strip of fabric which is in concertina formation such that, resultantly, the side facing the operator alternates. This means that every second blank on the stack on both sides of the operator has to be turned by the operator so that a correct match is obtained for the garment, it being understood that the fabric has an "outer" and inner” surface with respect to the garment.
  • the necessity to remember to form and turning each second blank manually on the two stacks is quite onerous on the operator and too often results in mismatches rendering the garment useless.
  • apparatus for sewing the crotch portion of a pair of aligned blanks of limp fabric and stacking the sewn blanks comprising a pair of robotic units located one on each side of an operator position for gripping and removing a limp fabric blank from an associated stack of blanks and transporting the blanks to the operator position, each of said robotic units including an arm and a gripping means mounted on said arm, whereby said arm is movable axially and rotatable about its axis through an angle of 180° and the arm of at least one of the robotic units is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis thereby effecting horizontal movement of said arm; sewing means for sewing the crotch portion of said pair of aligned blanks; a blank support/transfer carriage adjacent said sewing means mounted for horizontal movement in a direction substantially parallel with the direction of sewing; a clamp unit for clamping blanks down onto the blank support/transfer carriage; and integral gripping and stacking means located adjacent one side of said blank support/transfer carriage having
  • a method of sewing the crotch portion of two complemental limp fabric blanks comprising gripping a limp fabric blank from a stack of blanks located on each side of an operator, transporting said blanks to a location adjacent each side of said operator and within easy reach thereof while turning alternate blanks through 180° so that the operator always has two complementary blanks with the right orientation of the faces of the blank ready for manual alignment by the operator, clamping said aligned blanks to a movable support, feeding said aligned blanks to a sewing head, sewing said overlapping crotch portion while moving the blanks in a horizontal direction to a location adjacent the sewing head, and gripping and stacking the sewed blanks ready for the next operation.
  • each robotic means comprises a blank stack support, an upstanding post extending adjacent to said support and, optionally, capable of angular movement about its axis, a blank gripping arm pivotally mounted on one end of the post for movement in a vertical plane and having gripping means mounted for axial movement along said arm and located at its outer extremity for gripping said blank.
  • the blank gripping means consists of a pair of wheels and an associated plate, said wheels being rotatable in both directions to provide a pinching grip of the blank on engagement therewith when the wheels rotate in one direction and release of the blank when rotated in the opposite direction.
  • the integral gripping and stacking means comprises a pair of substantially parallel arms mounted one above the other for angular rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a clamping pin associated with the upper arm and mounted for movement in a substantially vertical direction and capable of firmly clamping the sewed blank to the lower arm.
  • the apparatus also includes, conveniently, optical sensing means located at various critical locations for actuating various movements and the speed of these movements of the components of the apparatus.
  • the actuation of movements is carried out by per se well known means such as time sequenced, electronically actuated pneumatic means.
  • robot unit 20 is capable of moving pivotally in a vertical plane whereas robot unit 10 is additionally capable of angular movement about its vertical axis.
  • Blank support/transfer carriage assembly 40 is mounted for horizontal movement adjacent sewing head 30 and is associated with an integral gripping and stacking unit 50.
  • the robot unit 20 comprises a blank supporting plate 21 connected to an upstanding post 27.
  • An arm 26 is pivotally mounted on the outer extremity of post 27 for movement in a vertical plane (cf. arrow "W").
  • Arm 26 is actuated for pivotal movement by cylinder 22 acting on the outer extremity of arm 26, whereas the inner extremity segment 28) of arm 26 is associated with rollers 24 and cooperating plate 25.
  • Segment 28 can be moved axially by means of piston 23.
  • rollers 24 are actuated for rotation by a small cylinder 29 located on arm 26 adjacent rollers 24.
  • Arm 26 can be rotated through 180° (cf. arrow Z) by a rotary actuator (not shown) located behind cylinder 13 and 23.
  • robot unit 10 is identical in construction to robot unit 20 except, in addition, upstanding post 17 is mounted for rotation about its axis and is capable of a 90° pivotal movement as shown by arrow "V".
  • Robot unit 10 is shown with the roller/plate assembly 14, 15 in the 180° alternative configuration.
  • a blank support/transfer carriage assembly (generally indicated as 40) comprises a carriage 41 located adjacent a sewing head and mounted for horizontal movement on rails 42a, 42b actuated by cylinder 43.
  • a clamp unit 60 is located on carriage 41 and comprises a clamping arm 61 and upstanding pins 62a, 62b connected thereto and to a cylinder (not shown) which cylinder activates the clamping arm 61 by vertical movement of the pins 62a, 62b.
  • the gripper and stacker unit generally indicated as 50, comprises a guide plate 51 mounted on a table (not shown) underneath rails 42a, 42b, a clamp unit, generally indicated as 52, and a stacker bed 57.
  • Clamp unit 52 comprises a link mechanism (not shown) comprising an arm 56 which supports a clamp mechanism comprised of upper and lower arms 53 and 54 and a clamp pin 55 mounted on arm 53 for movement in a vertical direction (as shown).
  • a stacker bed 57 is also mounted on the table (not shown) for collecting the sewn blanks.
  • Preparation for sewing is carried out by placing a stack of cut blanks (not shown) on blank supporting plates 11 and 21 of the robotic units 10 and 20.
  • the system is initiated for sewing by pressing a valve switch (not shown) attached to the side of blank support plates 11 and 21.
  • cylinder 22 (Fig. 2) which pivots on axis X tilting the pick-up arm 26 towards the top blank.
  • cylinder 23 extends, pushing the gripper rollers 24 on to the blank.
  • another small cylinder 29 is activated which rotates the rollers 24 and wedges the blank against the plate 25. Cylinder 23 then retracts at the same time as cylinder 22, peeling a single blank from the stack.
  • the above description suits both robotic units 10 and 20.
  • robotic unit 10 (Fig. 3) also pivots on axis Y and cylinder 13 extends again to present the blank closer to the operator.
  • a rotary actuator (not shown) located behind cylinders 13 and 23 turns the arm assembly (13, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25) 180° to present the right side of the blank to the operator each time.
  • the operator removes the blank from the group of rollers 14, 24 and matches the edges of the blank to be seamed together.
  • the aligned blanks are then located on the carriage 41 which houses a sensor (not shown).
  • the blank must be positioned over the sensor and under the clamp unit 60.
  • the sensor activates the cylinder (not shown) which lowers clamping arm 61 and clamps the blank to be sewn, as well as activating the robotic units 10 and 20 to pick up the next blank.
  • the sewing head 30 is also activated at this stage as well as cylinder 43.
  • the blank passes through the sewing head 30 and is transferred to the stacker unit 50.
  • clamping pin 55 lowers and clamps the blank.
  • carriage 41 When the blank has been gripped by clamping pin 55, carriage 41 is returned to its home position and arm 56 pivots on axis S and transfers the sewn blank on to the stacker bed 57. Whilst this has been taking place, the operator has the opportunity to grasp the next piece from each of the robotic units 10, 20 and align them ready for sewing. The cycle then repeats.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Sewing Machines And Sewing (AREA)
EP92907348A 1991-03-08 1992-03-06 Crotch overlocking and seaming apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0574501B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK5024/91 1991-03-08
AUPK502491 1991-03-08
PCT/AU1992/000100 WO1992015212A1 (en) 1991-03-08 1992-03-06 Crotch overlocking and seaming apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0574501A1 EP0574501A1 (en) 1993-12-22
EP0574501A4 EP0574501A4 (ja) 1994-03-02
EP0574501B1 true EP0574501B1 (en) 1997-09-03

Family

ID=3775271

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92907348A Expired - Lifetime EP0574501B1 (en) 1991-03-08 1992-03-06 Crotch overlocking and seaming apparatus

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US5456192A (ja)
EP (1) EP0574501B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP3021655B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN1030933C (ja)
DE (1) DE69222035T2 (ja)
WO (1) WO1992015212A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5388539A (en) * 1992-04-28 1995-02-14 Vi.Be.Mac.S.R.L. Clamp device or jig-guide and device for pre-positioning and shifting cloth to be coupled with a programmable sewing machine.
US5758590A (en) * 1996-02-22 1998-06-02 Collier; Horace I. Stacking device for sheet material
US6055921A (en) * 1998-02-19 2000-05-02 Atlanta Attachment Company Waistband attachment system
US6796239B2 (en) * 2001-03-22 2004-09-28 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Method and device for driving a printing press
ITTO20040750A1 (it) * 2004-10-29 2005-01-29 P A M I Di Tomaselli Srl Dispositivo di manipolazione di pezze di tessuto particolarmente adatto per alimentare e scaricare una stazione di piegatura e stiratura di tasche riportate
DE102009038602A1 (de) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-10 Car Trim Gmbh Nähanlage
DE202015102104U1 (de) * 2015-04-28 2016-08-01 Dürkopp Adler AG Nähanlage
CN105525454B (zh) * 2016-02-29 2018-08-28 广东溢达纺织有限公司 自动包边系统
CN108113089B (zh) * 2016-11-28 2023-12-15 段昌龙 一种拿织物的多功能机械装置
CN107951105B (zh) * 2017-11-17 2023-08-29 广东溢达纺织有限公司 反直角裁片机构及反直角裁片方法
US11331812B2 (en) 2019-10-09 2022-05-17 Michel St-Amand Robotic manipulation of fabric pieces using a dropping-roller-type picker

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3099970A (en) * 1960-06-28 1963-08-06 Vanity Fair Mills Inc Garment working apparatus
US3253824A (en) * 1964-11-18 1966-05-31 L & L Mfg Inc Apparatus for separating pieces from a stack, and the like
US3355165A (en) * 1965-04-20 1967-11-28 L & L Mfg Inc Fabric stretching and/or alternatelyreversing mechanism for separating fabric pieces from a stack thereof
US3537702A (en) * 1968-04-16 1970-11-03 Union Special Machine Co Work handling apparatus for use with sewing machines
US3916701A (en) * 1973-04-17 1975-11-04 Automation Prod Rotary wrist actuator for industrial robots
AU496036B2 (en) * 1975-10-08 1977-04-21 Cluett Peabody & Co. Inc. Picking and transporting means for fabric sections andthe like
CA1069949A (en) * 1976-07-01 1980-01-15 Hubert Blessing Facing ply separator
US4365928A (en) * 1981-05-04 1982-12-28 Cincinnati Milacron Inc. Fluid power connector system for manipulator
IT8319476A0 (it) * 1982-04-01 1983-02-08 Rockwell Rimoldi Spa Dispositivo di prelievo di pezzi impilati di materiale tessile osimile.
US4641827A (en) * 1983-06-02 1987-02-10 Richard R. Walton Fabric pickup and the like
IT1202318B (it) * 1985-02-08 1989-02-02 Necchia Spa Accatastatore di pezze di tessuto applicato ad una macchina per cucire
ATE69432T1 (de) * 1986-09-11 1991-11-15 Thomas Kempf Vorrichtung zur entnahme von einzelnen gegenstaenden, insbesonder web-, druck- und sticketiketten oder kleinbauteilen, von einem gegenstandsvorrat und zum transport der erfassten einzelnen gegenstaende in eine vorgegebene abnahmeposition.
US5230764A (en) * 1987-10-13 1993-07-27 Philipp Moll Process and device for producing garments or individual parts thereof
JPH01303190A (ja) * 1988-06-01 1989-12-07 Agency Of Ind Science & Technol 生地支持装置
JPH0738907B2 (ja) * 1988-08-20 1995-05-01 ブラザー工業株式会社 縫製システム
DE3914194A1 (de) * 1989-04-28 1990-10-31 Inst Textil & Faserforschung Verfahren und vorrichtung zum vereinzeln von textilen flaechengebilden
DE4028621A1 (de) * 1989-09-14 1991-03-28 Juki Kk Vorrichtung zum stapeln von werkstuecken an einer naehmaschine
DE4121190A1 (de) * 1990-06-28 1992-01-30 Juki Kk Vorrichtung zum trennen und erfassen gestapelter blaetter
US5324016A (en) * 1993-09-13 1994-06-28 Fruit Of The Loom Self-adjusting fabric ply picking device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1069786A (zh) 1993-03-10
JPH06504819A (ja) 1994-06-02
US5540424A (en) 1996-07-30
EP0574501A1 (en) 1993-12-22
DE69222035D1 (de) 1997-10-09
US5456192A (en) 1995-10-10
DE69222035T2 (de) 1998-01-29
EP0574501A4 (ja) 1994-03-02
CN1030933C (zh) 1996-02-07
JP3021655B2 (ja) 2000-03-15
WO1992015212A1 (en) 1992-09-17

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